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Quaker Peace and Legislation Committee

The Quaker Peace and Legislation Committee (QPLC) is based in Canberra. Its role is to lobby government and to encourage debate towards a more peaceful future for Australia and the world. QPLC releases regular Watching Briefs and Action Alerts to encourage others to lobby for a more peaceful world.

This Alert follows one in July 2016 on this subject (16-07). There have been recent moves to increase pressure to water down gun laws in Australia. A summary of this is given, along with suggested action in response.

This Brief is based on a workshop held by QPLC in Canberra in late March 2018, attended by 20 Quakers from around Australia. The workshop took the nuclear weapons ban treaty as a focus for lobbying politicians at Parliament House on 27 March. The model used for the lobbying process was drawn from the Friends Committee on National Legislation in Washington DC.

Please act to let MPs and Senators know of the urgency of Australia signing the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Australia is one of the minority of countries that have not supported this Treaty which was adopted by the United Nations General. Assembly in July 2017. See below for suggested action. For fuller details of the background, see Watching Brief 18.1.

The Australian Government has introduced legislation that will limit donations to organisations engaged in the political process in Australia. The proposed changes to the Electoral rules will place at risk the advocacy work of many NGOs (such QSA).

This briefing explains the main features of the Bill and identifies some questions raised about its likely impact.

In December 2016 the Government invited interested organisations and individuals to offer input into Australia’s Foreign Policy White Paper through the public submissions process. Between December 2016 and May 2017 the Taskforce (based in the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade) convened 24 roundtable discussions and 107 regional visits across the country. They also met with more than 60 subject-matter experts and received over 9,200 written submissions. A summary report of these consultations was issued on 9 November 2017 and is available on the DFAT website at https://www.fpwhitepaper.gov.au/publi-consultations. The public submissions are also available at that web address. QPLC made a submission on behalf of Australian Friends. Victorian Friends also made a submission.

This Brief outlines the background and process that led to the White Paper, explains the content of the document, and gives a Quaker perspective.

On 15 November 2017, the Australian Bureau of Statistics announced that Australians responded 61.6% Yes in response to the postal survey question “Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?”. The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) welcomes this expression of support for LGBTIQ equality by the Australian community. But equality will only be achieved when Parliament passes legislation that fully honours the decision of the Australian people in both letter and spirit. Some are seeking amendments that would wind back anti-discrimination protections for LGBTIQ people on the basis of “religious freedom” or personal “conscientious objection”.

Australian Quakers have been deeply concerned at the way the off-shore immigration detention policy initiated by the Labor Party and continued by the Coalition has led to inhumane outcomes for the asylum seekers and refugees placed in the Nauru and Manus Island facilities. Numerous appeals have been made by individual Quakers and Yearly and Regional Meetings to political leaders to change direction, and bring the remaining people to Australia for resettlement and processing. A crisis point has now been reached on Manus Island following the decision to close the centre there and remove all support services.

The global arms trade is increasing apace, with signs of this trend continuing. The resulting addition of suffering to the world is evident in daily media reports of conflicts in many areas. Australia is poised to become more active in the arms trade. This Brief seeks to give basic details and to indicate some actions being taken to counteract the trend.

Attitudes to Russia vary greatly. Predominant in Australian official circles is a significant suspicion of Russia and its leadership. This report seeks to present some of the factors that affect these attitudes, and to suggest some questions that might be asked, and actions that might be taken, to build better understanding.

This Update follows the Action Alert 17-2 issued earlier this year. It is a response to recent rising tension between USA and North Korea following further missile tests by North Korea and strong language used by President Trump on behalf of the USA.

On 11 August, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull gave a sweeping affirmation of Australia’s support for US actions in relation to North Korea, implying that military assistance would be offered under the ANZUS Treaty. The Federal Opposition has pointed out that the Treaty requires only ‘consultation’ rather than automatic assistance. Nevertheless, under the terms of the 1953 Korean War Armistice, Australia could have residual obligations to respond to a breakdown of the truce.

Australia should be supporting a resumption of the Six-Party Talks on North Korea’s Nuclear Program, that began in 2003 and involves both Koreas, Japan, USA, China and Russia. These talks offer the possibility of de-escalating the conflict between the USA and North Korea, and of working for a comprehensive outcome that takes into account the concerns of all and lessens the risk of a catastrophic war.

On 7 July 2017 the United Nations General assembly adopted a treaty to prohibit nuclear weapons. Over 120 countries supported this move, not including nuclear weapons powers or Australia, which boycotted the discussions. This Action Alert highlights the features of the treaty and the options available to influence Australia to sign up to it.

The Government has decided to strengthen the conditions for offering Australian citizenship. The Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 has passed the House of Representatives and has now been referred to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for examination. According to the Explanatory Memorandum to the Bill, the aim is to strengthen the requirements to become an Australian citizen.

Friends may wish to make submissions to the Inquiry, especially if there are human stories to tell about the likely impact of these changes.

The Australian Government has introduced legislation to deny permanently, to anyone taken to Manus Island or Nauru after July 2013, a visa to enter Australia. The legislation has passed the House of Representatives and is now before the Senate, but has not been debated yet. There is an opportunity for making representations to Senators about stopping this legislation. The news that the Manus Center is to close later this year makes this more urgent.

This briefing paper recounts recent developments in relation to North Korea, and in particular to Australia’s links with that country. It offers suggestions for action to reduce
tensions and achieve a peaceful outcome.

If we are to offer alternatives to violent and militaristic approaches, we need to build a culture of peace. This report outlines some characteristics of such a culture, and identifies organisations and groups internationally and nationally that are working to create it.

The Joint Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights has recently issued its report on an Inquiry into the operation of Part IIA of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 and related procedures under the Australian Human Rights Act 1986. The briefing paper summarises the main findings and suggests possible action to follow up the report. The full report is available at

Quakers may wish to take up with their own Federal MPs and Senators the ongoing concern to ensure that the legislation remains in place, and that the recommended changes to procedures be implemented so as to reduce the basis for further challenges to the whole process.

This report is in part a response to the increasing militarization of our world, and the well-entrenched assumption that military defence is the best way (and ultimately the only effective way) to prevent an attack from an outside invader or an internal insurgency. Many people now see the need to abolish war, yet find it hard to envision alternatives. Social Defence has been neglected as a viable option for defending a country or community. Details of its origins and potential are included to help readers identify where it is relevant to current debates on foreign and defence policy. Some further information is included about ways in which social defence approaches can link with other work to abolish war.

There are three pieces of legislation before Parliament – listed below. We support moves to restrict the trafficking of firearms. We are cautious about extending sentences beyond the normal limits without significant checks and balances. We are concerned to ensure that changing the definition of war crimes may lead to Australian forces engaging in areas where civilian casualties are more likely.

This Brief provides a summary of IPAN’s aims and activities. Quakers are affiliated to IPAN through QPLC. Recently IPAN held its annual meeting in Alice Springs NT in conjunction with a protest gathering at Pine Gap Base to mark its 50th anniversary.

This Brief focusses on moves for a nuclear weapons ban, following stalemate in negotiations towards nuclear disarmament. It highlights the ambivalent position of Australian Governments in responding to such moves because of their reliance on the ‘nuclear umbrella’ provided by the USA.

Given recent publicity about gun violence in the USA, this briefing paper focusses on what has been happening in Australia. It draws attention to the review of the National Firearms Agreement and offers suggestions for points that can be taken up with Federal and State/Territory leaders.

The war of words between the United States and China over who is militarizing the South China Sea is heating up in advance of a United Nations court ruling on the validity of China’s nine-dash line claim to the sea. The Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague in The Netherlands is expected to issue its ruling in the case of The Philippines v. China before June 2016. This will be the first time that any international tribunal will rule on the validity of China’s territorial claims to nearly the entire South China Sea.

This Alert refers to recent moves to have children removed from detention centres, and to legislation amended by the Senate to support such moves. It includes details of international standards and expectations, and suggests action by Friends to act on their concerns

This paper is intended to sum up the history and current thinking among Quakers on this
issue. It draws on various analyses especially from the Quaker United Nations Office and
Britain Yearly Meeting. It focuses on objections to military service and to paying for war, and
alternative options. It ends with questions for consideration and feedback.

The trends in crime and the responses to it are the focus of this brief. It includes
recent statistics and analysis, and comments on various types of approach to
preventing crime and enhancing social cohesion. It also mentions the history of the
Quaker approach to prisons.

Over the years many Defence White Papers have been delivered outlining plans for Australian defence. Their tone has varied from bland to alarmist depending largely on the political environment at the time as assessed by the party in power. Usually the preparation of these Papers has involved some element of public consultation.

QPLC has put forward submissions on several occasions about defence policies, and has made the following points: (a) defence policy should be part of a comprehensive set of policies that identify risks arising from political, economic, ecological and other sources, and set up ways to minimize those risks; (b) ecological degradation and economic crises are more of a threat to Australia than military ones; (c) defence policies should be ensure that women are seen as equal partners in the development of inclusive security policies that lead to conflict prevention and the building of peace; (d) the defence forces has a significant role in providing humanitarian and disaster relief and as part of international policing under the UN; (e) reliance on the US military strategy limits our capacity for independent policies; and (f) more resources should be put into prevention through diplomatic and aid policies.

The Australian Border Force (ABF) was formed on 1 July 2015 as a result of the integration
of the functions of the Department of Immigration & Border Protection and the Australian
Customs & Border Protection Service. It brings together the operational, investigative,
compliance, detention and enforcement functions of the two agencies.

The emergence of the ABF signals a trend towards more paramilitary-style
approaches in a range of government agencies. QPLC will keep Friends informed on this
matter, and welcomes feedback on action taken at a regional or local level to raise public
awareness.

This report gives the Prime Minister’s statement on refugees from the war, and the decision
to extend bombing into Syria. It also includes the responses of the Opposition and Greens. It
concludes with a letter from the AYM Presiding Clerk to the Prime Minister.

The Sustainable Development Summit in New York City, 25-27 September 2015,
is expected to adopt the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the
period ending 2030. The SDGs will replace the Millennium Development Goals
which reached their use-by dates this year.

QPLC encourages Friends to become familiar with the SDGs and consider how
their Meeting could contribute toward reaching some of the goals within their local
communities or even more widely.

What follows is a QPLC resource to assist Friends in commencing such
discussions within their Meetings.

This report contains notes based on a recent conference about the United Nations and its
Future, hosted by the United Nations of Australia (UNAA) and held at the Australian National
University in Canberra. It also includes some recent reflections from the Quaker United
Nations Office (QUNO). The ongoing active role of Quakers within the UN system is part of
the expression of the peace testimony ‘to take away the occasion of war’.

Anzac Conversations - Lessons Learnt

The Quaker Peace & Legislation Committee (QPLC) held a series of four public
meetings during 2015 on the theme: Anzac Conversations.

With the support of a grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs, QPLC
sought to offer a range of different perspectives on war and peace during a
year when much focus has been on Australia’s involvement in the First World
War and on commemorating military sacrifice. Our approach was to look at
different themes that might bring out a more complete picture of how war has
affected so many people, and on the efforts to prevent and replace it.

The sessions took as an overall theme ‘Lessons Learned’, and the specific
topics for the sessions were (a) Forgotten Voices, (b) Artistic Voices, (c) Voices
of those who gave military service, and (d) Citizen voices for peace. In this way
we gave opportunities for sharing by speakers from military, scholarly, artistic,
religious and peace activist backgrounds, and for those attending to engage in
discussion about the lessons learned. The meetings have attracted between 25
and 40 Quakers and others and led to some lively interactions about the impact
of war on people of all walks of life, the often hidden or delayed effect of war
trauma on soldiers and families, the social divisions caused by Australia’s
participation in wars, and the attempts by Quakers and others to provide
alternative narratives to challenge the drift towards war. At the first session it
was also a great help to show the ten panels prepared by NSW Friends for their
exhibition about WW1 and the efforts of the peace movement to end it.

QPLC has issued detailed reports on each session, and these are collected
here on the Quaker website.

Our intention is now to complete the project by preparing a suitable
publication (in print and on-line) so as to distribute more widely the material
collected from the various speakers. From my experience, the project has kept
alive in a public setting the commitment of Quakers to finding alternative ways
to express our peace testimony and to engage with others about what needs to
be done to prevent future wars. Feedback from those who have attended has
reinforced the view that we have offered an environment of listening and
learning about the serious challenges that face humanity from the tendency to
resort to military solutions.

This Action Alert gives a brief outline of the Agreement signed by the two governments in June 2015, some commentary on its implications, and the process of examination of it by two Parliamentary Committees.

The Australian Government has launched a national conversation about Australian citizenship. The proposed changes to the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 would create the greatest changes to the Act since 1949. Under consideration is the possible suspension or revocation of citizenship for people who are involved in ‘terrorist activity’. Comments are due 30 June 2015. QPLC is preparing a submission and Friends are also encouraged to respond.

The Australian Government has introduced legislation to Parliament under the title Migration Amendment (Maintaining Good Order of Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill. The legislation passed the House of Representatives and went on to the Senate in March, to be considered by the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee. This paper provides points that could be covered in any lobbying.

Recently there has been discussion about the extent to which Australia’s role in ANZUS affects our relationship with China. This WB seeks to place the issue in context and to raise questions for Friends to consider when pursuing concerns about Australian defence and foreign policies.

The Government has introduced legislation to Parliament under the title Migration Amendment (Maintaining Good Order of Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill. The legislation passed the House of Representatives and went on to the Senate in March, to be considered by the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee. Their response is due by 5 June 2015. QPLC has listed points for lobbying against the Bill.

The people of North Korea continue to face grinding poverty, with serious consequences for their health, development, and education. This paper
reviews the humanitarian challenges, compare international responses, and suggests policy options for Australia and advocacy opportunities for Friends.

On 9 January 2015 a Presidential election in Sri Lanka led to an unexpected change
of leader. Mahinda Rajapaksa, who had dominated the country in recent years, lost
the election to his former Minister for Health, Maithripala Sirisena, thanks to a
coalition of opposition groupings and strong voting support from the ethnic
minorities. The paper updates the situation.

The trauma of recent events in Indonesia involving two Australian drug traffickers has drawn attention once again to the use of capital punishment as a legal sanction for serious crimes. This briefing paper gives an up-to-date picture of progress towards the elimination of the death penalty around the world.

Australia’s membership of the United Nations Security Council ended on 31 December 2014
after two years as a non-permanent elected member. This Brief gives an overview of what
Australia contributed to the international organisation during that time.

Negotiations for a Trans-Pacific Partnership are proceeding largely in secret among the twelve nations involved, and this Action Alert is to give Friends basic details upon which representations can be made to the Minister for Trade, Andrew Robb MP and other parliamentarians.

This summary of recent writings on peacemaking attempts to support Friends’ peace concerns, and bring a greater focus on ‘taking away the occasion of war’. It may also help Friends in conversations with others about current trends.

This summary of the report on a high level Roundtable called Beyond the Boats: building an asylum and refugee policy for the long term covers the background to, participation in, and outcomes of the Roundtable, and some questions for Friends to consider.

Acts of terror are unacceptable in our world, and everyone has a
responsibility to reject a violent approach to life. The Government can assist best
through an integrated approach, with policies that focus on removing the causes
of terrorism, protecting citizens, pursuing offenders, and assisting people to work
together against any attack. The proposed legislation appears to be an
overreaction to recent events in Iraq and Syria and their impact within Australia.

Our view is that the Foreign Fighters Bill is not required, and poses significant
risks to freedom of individuals. It also has the potential to cause further divisions
in the Australian community.

Australia is becoming involved again in a military way in the Middle East. This poses a challenge to the longstanding Quaker commitment to ‘taking away the occasion of war’. What can we do to make known our concerns in a context of considerable public outrage about the behaviour of the extremist groups in Iraq and Syria? This Alert gives background information and questions to assist Friends in responding in discussion with others, in public statements, and in contact with politicians and bureaucrats.

Quakers have become increasingly alarmed at the policies of the Australian Government about
refugees and asylum seekers, especially those who arrive unauthorised by boat. The current
public debate has become very polarised and adversarial, and there is ambivalence in public
attitudes alongside a hardening of policies and procedures for responding to boat arrivals. This
Paper attempts to put the situation in historical context, to summarise commentary on current and
possible future approaches, and to suggest questions for discussion.

Australian Quakers urge you and the Government to resist any request for military involvement in the tragic events in Iraq and Syria. The humanitarian impact of the crisis there needs to be a priority, and we applaud action taken by Australia to contribute in that way.

On behalf of Australian Quakers I write to thank you for the commitment, independence and resilience you have shown during your time as UN Commissioner for Human Rights. We believe you have raised the profile of the Office and given encouragement to many who have been suffering from abuses of their human rights and dignity.

It is some years since public attention was focused on Pine Gap Base in central
Australia. In this Brief, Friends will be reminded of the history and recent activities at
this military base, and offered some ideas about possible action, and offered some ideas about possible action

On 17 July 2014 Senator Scott Ludlam (Australian Greens) reintroduced into Parliament the Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2014 'to ensure that the decision to deploy members of the Australian Defence Force be made not by the executive alone but by parliament as a whole.' Australian Quakers can follow the progress of the Bill by reference to the Parliament website www.aph.gov.au.

The visit of Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister, to Australia recently highlighted the moves he has made to reinterpret the ‘peace’ clause of the Japanese Constitution to allow more freedom to participate on military activities beyond its borders. This has generated considerable alarm in the region. This Watching Brief gives background details and some points for consideration among Friends.

The Federal Government has plans to develop a Defence White Paper for 2015, and has appointed an Expert Panel to begin the process.

The intention is that the White Paper will be a whole-of-government product and that the Expert Panel with “engage with experts in Australia and abroad, within government and industry, the think-tank community, State and Territory and local governments and with the Australian people throughout the development of the White Paper”.

The development of a White Paper for 2015 is an opportunity for Friends to consider what issues to raise, and QPLC invites feedback on the concerns Friends have, so that we can be prepared to make a further submission when that is invited by the Expert Panel.

The Federal Government has decided to abolish the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor (INSLM) established by the previous government in 2010. Repeal legislation is currently before the Senate and is being reviewed by the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee. It is due to report on 19 August 2014.

The Monitor was put in place to provide a continuing review of anti-terrorism legislation. Bret Walker, the current holder of the position, has issued four reports, the latest of which appeared in April 2014. It covered such areas as the Defence Act Call Out Powers, Australians and Armed Conflicts Abroad, Foreign Evidence, and Passport Cancellation and Citizenship Issues.

This is an opportunity for Friends who are so led to take up this concern with their Federal MPs and Senators, and to persuade them that, at the very least, the independent Monitor should retain a role in the review of legislation, and that the Parliament and Government should take more seriously the recommendations from that officer.

This Alert refers to recent moves to have children removed from detention centres, and to legislation amended by the Senate to support such moves. It includes details of international standards and expectations, and suggests action by Friends to act on their concerns

This paper is intended to sum up the history and current thinking among Quakers on this
issue. It draws on various analyses especially from the Quaker United Nations Office and
Britain Yearly Meeting. It focuses on objections to military service and to paying for war, and
alternative options. It ends with questions for consideration and feedback.

The trends in crime and the responses to it are the focus of this brief. It includes
recent statistics and analysis, and comments on various types of approach to
preventing crime and enhancing social cohesion. It also mentions the history of the
Quaker approach to prisons.

Over the years many Defence White Papers have been delivered outlining plans for Australian defence. Their tone has varied from bland to alarmist depending largely on the political environment at the time as assessed by the party in power. Usually the preparation of these Papers has involved some element of public consultation.

QPLC has put forward submissions on several occasions about defence policies, and has made the following points: (a) defence policy should be part of a comprehensive set of policies that identify risks arising from political, economic, ecological and other sources, and set up ways to minimize those risks; (b) ecological degradation and economic crises are more of a threat to Australia than military ones; (c) defence policies should be ensure that women are seen as equal partners in the development of inclusive security policies that lead to conflict prevention and the building of peace; (d) the defence forces has a significant role in providing humanitarian and disaster relief and as part of international policing under the UN; (e) reliance on the US military strategy limits our capacity for independent policies; and (f) more resources should be put into prevention through diplomatic and aid policies.

The Australian Border Force (ABF) was formed on 1 July 2015 as a result of the integration
of the functions of the Department of Immigration & Border Protection and the Australian
Customs & Border Protection Service. It brings together the operational, investigative,
compliance, detention and enforcement functions of the two agencies.

The emergence of the ABF signals a trend towards more paramilitary-style
approaches in a range of government agencies. QPLC will keep Friends informed on this
matter, and welcomes feedback on action taken at a regional or local level to raise public
awareness.

This report gives the Prime Minister’s statement on refugees from the war, and the decision
to extend bombing into Syria. It also includes the responses of the Opposition and Greens. It
concludes with a letter from the AYM Presiding Clerk to the Prime Minister.

The Sustainable Development Summit in New York City, 25-27 September 2015,
is expected to adopt the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the
period ending 2030. The SDGs will replace the Millennium Development Goals
which reached their use-by dates this year.

QPLC encourages Friends to become familiar with the SDGs and consider how
their Meeting could contribute toward reaching some of the goals within their local
communities or even more widely.

What follows is a QPLC resource to assist Friends in commencing such
discussions within their Meetings.

This report contains notes based on a recent conference about the United Nations and its
Future, hosted by the United Nations of Australia (UNAA) and held at the Australian National
University in Canberra. It also includes some recent reflections from the Quaker United
Nations Office (QUNO). The ongoing active role of Quakers within the UN system is part of
the expression of the peace testimony ‘to take away the occasion of war’.

Anzac Conversations - Lessons Learnt

The Quaker Peace & Legislation Committee (QPLC) held a series of four public
meetings during 2015 on the theme: Anzac Conversations.

With the support of a grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs, QPLC
sought to offer a range of different perspectives on war and peace during a
year when much focus has been on Australia’s involvement in the First World
War and on commemorating military sacrifice. Our approach was to look at
different themes that might bring out a more complete picture of how war has
affected so many people, and on the efforts to prevent and replace it.

The sessions took as an overall theme ‘Lessons Learned’, and the specific
topics for the sessions were (a) Forgotten Voices, (b) Artistic Voices, (c) Voices
of those who gave military service, and (d) Citizen voices for peace. In this way
we gave opportunities for sharing by speakers from military, scholarly, artistic,
religious and peace activist backgrounds, and for those attending to engage in
discussion about the lessons learned. The meetings have attracted between 25
and 40 Quakers and others and led to some lively interactions about the impact
of war on people of all walks of life, the often hidden or delayed effect of war
trauma on soldiers and families, the social divisions caused by Australia’s
participation in wars, and the attempts by Quakers and others to provide
alternative narratives to challenge the drift towards war. At the first session it
was also a great help to show the ten panels prepared by NSW Friends for their
exhibition about WW1 and the efforts of the peace movement to end it.

QPLC has issued detailed reports on each session, and these are collected
here on the Quaker website.

Our intention is now to complete the project by preparing a suitable
publication (in print and on-line) so as to distribute more widely the material
collected from the various speakers. From my experience, the project has kept
alive in a public setting the commitment of Quakers to finding alternative ways
to express our peace testimony and to engage with others about what needs to
be done to prevent future wars. Feedback from those who have attended has
reinforced the view that we have offered an environment of listening and
learning about the serious challenges that face humanity from the tendency to
resort to military solutions.

This Action Alert gives a brief outline of the Agreement signed by the two governments in June 2015, some commentary on its implications, and the process of examination of it by two Parliamentary Committees.

The Australian Government has launched a national conversation about Australian citizenship. The proposed changes to the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 would create the greatest changes to the Act since 1949. Under consideration is the possible suspension or revocation of citizenship for people who are involved in ‘terrorist activity’. Comments are due 30 June 2015. QPLC is preparing a submission and Friends are also encouraged to respond.

The Australian Government has introduced legislation to Parliament under the title Migration Amendment (Maintaining Good Order of Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill. The legislation passed the House of Representatives and went on to the Senate in March, to be considered by the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee. This paper provides points that could be covered in any lobbying.

Recently there has been discussion about the extent to which Australia’s role in ANZUS affects our relationship with China. This WB seeks to place the issue in context and to raise questions for Friends to consider when pursuing concerns about Australian defence and foreign policies.

The Government has introduced legislation to Parliament under the title Migration Amendment (Maintaining Good Order of Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill. The legislation passed the House of Representatives and went on to the Senate in March, to be considered by the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee. Their response is due by 5 June 2015. QPLC has listed points for lobbying against the Bill.

The people of North Korea continue to face grinding poverty, with serious consequences for their health, development, and education. This paper
reviews the humanitarian challenges, compare international responses, and suggests policy options for Australia and advocacy opportunities for Friends.

On 9 January 2015 a Presidential election in Sri Lanka led to an unexpected change
of leader. Mahinda Rajapaksa, who had dominated the country in recent years, lost
the election to his former Minister for Health, Maithripala Sirisena, thanks to a
coalition of opposition groupings and strong voting support from the ethnic
minorities. The paper updates the situation.

The trauma of recent events in Indonesia involving two Australian drug traffickers has drawn attention once again to the use of capital punishment as a legal sanction for serious crimes. This briefing paper gives an up-to-date picture of progress towards the elimination of the death penalty around the world.

Australia’s membership of the United Nations Security Council ended on 31 December 2014
after two years as a non-permanent elected member. This Brief gives an overview of what
Australia contributed to the international organisation during that time.

Negotiations for a Trans-Pacific Partnership are proceeding largely in secret among the twelve nations involved, and this Action Alert is to give Friends basic details upon which representations can be made to the Minister for Trade, Andrew Robb MP and other parliamentarians.

This summary of recent writings on peacemaking attempts to support Friends’ peace concerns, and bring a greater focus on ‘taking away the occasion of war’. It may also help Friends in conversations with others about current trends.

This summary of the report on a high level Roundtable called Beyond the Boats: building an asylum and refugee policy for the long term covers the background to, participation in, and outcomes of the Roundtable, and some questions for Friends to consider.

Acts of terror are unacceptable in our world, and everyone has a
responsibility to reject a violent approach to life. The Government can assist best
through an integrated approach, with policies that focus on removing the causes
of terrorism, protecting citizens, pursuing offenders, and assisting people to work
together against any attack. The proposed legislation appears to be an
overreaction to recent events in Iraq and Syria and their impact within Australia.

Our view is that the Foreign Fighters Bill is not required, and poses significant
risks to freedom of individuals. It also has the potential to cause further divisions
in the Australian community.

Australia is becoming involved again in a military way in the Middle East. This poses a challenge to the longstanding Quaker commitment to ‘taking away the occasion of war’. What can we do to make known our concerns in a context of considerable public outrage about the behaviour of the extremist groups in Iraq and Syria? This Alert gives background information and questions to assist Friends in responding in discussion with others, in public statements, and in contact with politicians and bureaucrats.

Quakers have become increasingly alarmed at the policies of the Australian Government about
refugees and asylum seekers, especially those who arrive unauthorised by boat. The current
public debate has become very polarised and adversarial, and there is ambivalence in public
attitudes alongside a hardening of policies and procedures for responding to boat arrivals. This
Paper attempts to put the situation in historical context, to summarise commentary on current and
possible future approaches, and to suggest questions for discussion.

Australian Quakers urge you and the Government to resist any request for military involvement in the tragic events in Iraq and Syria. The humanitarian impact of the crisis there needs to be a priority, and we applaud action taken by Australia to contribute in that way.

On behalf of Australian Quakers I write to thank you for the commitment, independence and resilience you have shown during your time as UN Commissioner for Human Rights. We believe you have raised the profile of the Office and given encouragement to many who have been suffering from abuses of their human rights and dignity.

It is some years since public attention was focused on Pine Gap Base in central
Australia. In this Brief, Friends will be reminded of the history and recent activities at
this military base, and offered some ideas about possible action, and offered some ideas about possible action

On 17 July 2014 Senator Scott Ludlam (Australian Greens) reintroduced into Parliament the Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2014 'to ensure that the decision to deploy members of the Australian Defence Force be made not by the executive alone but by parliament as a whole.' Australian Quakers can follow the progress of the Bill by reference to the Parliament website www.aph.gov.au.

The visit of Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister, to Australia recently highlighted the moves he has made to reinterpret the ‘peace’ clause of the Japanese Constitution to allow more freedom to participate on military activities beyond its borders. This has generated considerable alarm in the region. This Watching Brief gives background details and some points for consideration among Friends.

The Federal Government has plans to develop a Defence White Paper for 2015, and has appointed an Expert Panel to begin the process.

The intention is that the White Paper will be a whole-of-government product and that the Expert Panel with “engage with experts in Australia and abroad, within government and industry, the think-tank community, State and Territory and local governments and with the Australian people throughout the development of the White Paper”.

The development of a White Paper for 2015 is an opportunity for Friends to consider what issues to raise, and QPLC invites feedback on the concerns Friends have, so that we can be prepared to make a further submission when that is invited by the Expert Panel.

The Federal Government has decided to abolish the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor (INSLM) established by the previous government in 2010. Repeal legislation is currently before the Senate and is being reviewed by the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee. It is due to report on 19 August 2014.

The Monitor was put in place to provide a continuing review of anti-terrorism legislation. Bret Walker, the current holder of the position, has issued four reports, the latest of which appeared in April 2014. It covered such areas as the Defence Act Call Out Powers, Australians and Armed Conflicts Abroad, Foreign Evidence, and Passport Cancellation and Citizenship Issues.

This is an opportunity for Friends who are so led to take up this concern with their Federal MPs and Senators, and to persuade them that, at the very least, the independent Monitor should retain a role in the review of legislation, and that the Parliament and Government should take more seriously the recommendations from that officer.